Dizzee Rascal spotted at community folk festival

Dizzee Rascal, in black shirt and cap, poses with Ashley, who is wearing a purple summer top and cap.

Image source, Ashley CarleImage caption,

Rapper Dizzee Rascal was happy to pose with fans in Wallingford

ByKatharine Da CostaWallingford

Published4 hours ago

Music lovers were surprised by the "unexpected" arrival of rapper Dizzee Rascal during a market town's folk festival.

They had been attending the BunkFest weekend in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, on Sunday, when the superstar was seen at The Boat House pub.

Several people rushed over to have their photos taken with the grime and hip hop artist, who has so far had five UK number one singles, including Bonkers, Dance Wiv Me and Holiday.

Festival attendee Charlie Garwood, 23, said: "I love his songs. You don't expect someone like that to be in a little town like Wallingford."

The lab technician from Benson said Dizzee told him he was "just seeing a friend" when he bumped into him in the street.

He believes he then got on a private boat on the River Thames.

Garwood told his parents, who initially did not believe him and assumed the photo was AI.

"It's so unexpected," he told the BBC.

"It's one of those things you just don't believe at first. He's known for his dance anthems, we grew up listening to him... it's just a cool thing."

Image source, Charlie GarwoodImage caption,

Charlie Garwood snapped a selfie with Dizzee outside The Town Arms

Ashley Carle, 21, a first year psychology student at the University of Liverpool, said she arrived at The Boat House, where several of her friends work, shortly after Dizzee left.

She heard the musician ordered a burger and told the manager it was so good that he ordered a second one.

Carle, who is a big fan of Dizzee's "typical night-out bangers", said she asked the rapper: "I know a million people have already asked but can I have a picture please?"

"He said: 'Yeah, not a problem'."

She described Dizzee as a "very chilled guy".

The stage of BunkFest, with screens either side, and a large crowd watching on.

Image caption,

Bunkfest is one of the UK's largest free, family friendly festivals

BunkFest is one of the UK's largest free festivals, attracting more than 30,000 visitors.

It ran from Friday to Sunday on the banks of the River Thames.

Organised by volunteers, it gets its name from the Bunk Railway line which runs between the south Oxfordshire town and nearby Cholsey.

This year's performers included Dr. Feelgood, tribute band The Delicate Sound of Pink Floyd, and supergroup Blue Water Giants.

A spokesperson said: "If Dizzee was here we hope he enjoyed Wallingford's free family festival, run entirely by volunteers, and proud recipients of the King's Award for Voluntary Service."